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Garcia wins HSBC Champions in playoff

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-10 14:05

SHANGHAI, China _ Sergio Garcia defeated Oliver Wilson to win the HSBC Champions tournament on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff Monday, a victory that lifted the Spaniard to No. 2 in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods.

Sergio Garcia of Spain poses with his new trophy on the green of the 18th hole during the winning ceremony for the HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai November 9, 2008. [Agencies]

Garcia holed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 18th green _ the only hole used for the playoff at the Sheshan Golf Club _ after the Englishman missed a 10-foot attempt at birdie.

Garcia forced the playoff by sinking a 5-foot birdie on 18 to finish with a 4-under 68. Wilson, a surprise star for Europe in the Ryder Cup, reached the playoff by saving his par on 18 with a 7-footer for a 70. Both finished on 14-under 274.

Wilson was attempting to win his first European tour event. This is the eighth time he has finished second.

The victory moved Garcia into the No. 2 spot in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods, pushing Phil Mickelson to No. 3.

With victories this season in The Players Championship and his home-course Castellon Masters, Garcia's consistency has moved him up the rankings. He's also finished second or tied for second in three events this season in the US and Europe.

"I'm just so proud to win, and well, No. 2 in the world," Garcia said. "So I'm very happy. It's a great week. The last seven months have been very, very positive since my win at The Players."

Defending champion Mickelson struggled to a 73 on Monday and finished tied for eighth in the $5 million tournament, five strokes behind the leaders. Garcia picked up $833,300 (euro650,380).

Peter Hanson of Sweden (66) and Geoff Ogilvy of Australia (70) finished a stroke off the lead, while Henrik Stenson of Sweden (71) was three behind.

Garcia and Wilson were the survivors on the back nine, which saw four players _ Garcia, Wilson, Hanson and Ogilvy _ tied at 13-under over the closing holes.

Wilson, playing in the final group, and a group behind Garcia, reached 14-under on No. 16 with an 8-foot birdie. He then made a 6-foot putt to save par on 17, and held his nerve again on 18 with a 7-foot putt to save par and force the playoff.

Wilson gained wide attention two months ago in the Ryder Cup when he teamed with Stenson to defeat Americans Mickelson and Anthony Kim in fourballs.

All play was washed out on Friday, and rain slowed the start on Saturday which forced the Monday finish. Wilson played two holes of the final round on Sunday, and Garcia got in three before darkness stopped play.

The rain and darkness made for a clumsy finish, but Garcia wasn't complaining.

"You have to deal with it," he said. "You can't do anything about it so you just stay patient."

This event is the first of the 2009 European tour season, which will end next November in the Dubai World Championship. The European tour has also rebranded the Order of Merit _ the season money title _ and now calls it the Race to Dubai. That tournament will have a $10 million purse with $10 million more available in bonus money.

The HSBC featured 10 of the world's top-20 ranked players, and there are suggestions the tournament should be upgraded to a World Golf Championships event. All three of those events are now player in the United States.